The Verde River in Arizona has outstanding habitat value for a diverse community of terrestrial wildlife. According to Verde Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan (2004), there are 51 species of sensitive, threatened, or endangered wildlife species that occur or may occur along the Verde River corridor. Our research team includes investigators from the Forest Service, US Geological Survey, and universities to develop models linking biotic communities of the Verde River to flood frequency and riparian vegetation. Our specific goals are to relate terrestrial wildlife to riparian vegetation and flow along the Lower Verde River. We plan to identify which characteristics from remote imagery are comparable to our on the ground measures and use this relationship to predict habitat structure and value in an un-surveyed reach.

Within this framework, we seek to:
• Identify characteristics from remote imagery comparable to on the ground measures;
• Use acoustical recording data and spring bird survey data from three study reaches, to develop habitat suitability curves, habitat suitability models for an un-surveyed reach;
• Relate instream flows to vegetation structure and habitat heterogeneity for birds;
• Relate instream flows to vegetation structure and habitat heterogeneity for herpetofauna;
• Summarize historical field studies, technical reports, and publications to describe the current terrestrial wildlife community;
• Provide the candidate with access to real-world conservation issues and applications.

The post-doctoral candidate will bridge ecological modelling with conservation practice to create a product that will assist in protecting critical hydrological values in an aridland ecosystem. The outstanding early-career scientist in this one-year postdoctoral position (with possible funding for a second year), will engage with an interdisciplinary team focused on connecting hydrology and terrestrial habitat values of the Lower Verde River.

Required Qualifications:
• Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. by the start of the appointment in ecology, biology, geography or related field.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Strong background in remote sensing, GIS, and spatial modelling
• Development and/or validation of habitat suitability modelling
• Strong analytical background in ecological modelling and statistics
• Good record of writing and publications

HOW TO APPLY
The Science and Mathematics faculty in the College of Integrated Sciences and Arts on the Polytechnic Campus at Arizona State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant. This is a one-year position. Workplace locations may include, the Polytechnic campus, Verde River area and other remote locations. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefits-eligible, fiscal, year-to-year appointment. Salary is $47,476-$49,000 per year, depending on experience. Please submit materials by 11/29/2018.